BEAVERTON, Ore. – Building on a long tradition of outstanding customer service, Leupold‘s Tactical Optics Division has assembled a dedicated team to meet the needs of American warfighters, law enforcement personnel and other customers worldwide.

Leading the team is Carol Schmidlin, Tactical Sales Operations/Trade Show Coordinator. Schmidlin has 13 years of experience in customer service, including five years in management positions. She joined Leupold® in 2005 as an executive assistant supporting the president/CEO, human resources and tactical divisions. Schmidlin was the interim trade show coordinator for two years and is nearing completion of requirements for becoming a Certified Trade Show Marketer.

Rounding out the team are tactical sales service representatives Jeremiah “J.R.” Rowley and Steve DiGregorio. Rowley served as a U.S. Marine for more than 10 years, with two combat tours in Iraq and various deployments to other countries as a combat engineer and weapons instructor. He also served as a platoon sergeant, battalion operations and training NCO, range coach and range safety officer. Rowley joined Leupold in 2009.

DiGregorio joined Leupold in 2007, taking the position of security lead. Also a former Marine (four years of service), DiGregorio was a casino security shift manager prior to joining Leupold.

“Top-notch service is critical for those who depend on their optics, whether they are on the battlefield, in a SWAT situation or at a shooting competition,” said Kevin Trepa, Leupold’s vice president of tactical sales and marketing. “Carol, J.R. and Steve have the experience and skill set needed to ensure customer service excellence, here in the U.S. and worldwide.”

Leupold’s Tactical Optics Division plans a number of new product introductions and upgrades in 2010. The Leupold® Tactical Optics line includes Mark 4® Close Quarters/Tactical (CQ/T®), Mid Range/Tactical (MR/T®), Long Range/Tactical (LR/T®) and Extended Range/Tactical (ER/T®) riflescopes; Mark 4 Prismatic® 1x14mm riflescope; Mark 4 tactical spotting scope; and tactical binoculars. Other products for the tactical market include Mark AR™ riflescopes, MX® and MXc™ flashlights, and Mark 4 mounting systems. In addition, Leupold has introduced the new DeltaPoint™ reflex sight for use on handguns, rifles and shotguns.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the preeminent American-owned and -operated optics company, employs more than 600 people in its state-of-the-art facility near Beaverton, Ore., where rugged, dependable, high-performance Mark 4 and Golden Ring® sports optics are designed, machined and assembled. Leupold is a fifth-generation, family-owned company whose products are sold worldwide to military warfighters, law enforcement personnel, hunters, wildlife observers and competitive shooters. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; flashlights; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.

Nikon is announcing its largest riflescope promotion to date– offering consumers a cash incentive to buy any one of its highly popular BDC reticle equipped riflescopes. The promotion runs from August 19 through October 10, 2010 just in time for hunting season.

During the limited time “BDC Bonus Days” promotion, consumers can receive a $30 Nikon Mail-In Rebate for purchasing one of over 30 riflescope models with Nikon’s proven Bullet Drop Compensating reticle. This rebate is in addition to any instant savings (up to $30) that a retailer may offer on the riflescopes.

“The “BDC Bonus Days” offer gives consumer one more great reason to try our BDC reticle,” said Jon Allen, Nikon Sport Optics’ General Manager. “With models and reticles designed specifically for big game hunting, predator hunting, AR-Platform rifles, muzzleloaders, slug guns– even handguns-our customers will have no problem finding a model to fit any style of hunting or shooting. And when you consider the benefits that our Free, web-based Spot On Ballistic Match Technology adds to the equation, the value of a BDC reticle riflescope is incredible.”

Nikon offers the $30 mail-in rebate on every one of its BDC-equipped riflescopes (MSRP from $169.95 to $899.95), including the just awarded Field & Stream magazine “Best of the Best Award” for the new M-223 riflescope with BDC 600 reticle. Consumers must submit the rebate form, postmarked no later than November 15, 2010 to be eligible to receive the offer. For complete details, visit www.NikonPromo.com.

The Nikon BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating) reticle is a trajectory-compensating reticle designed and calibrated to provide fast, simple aiming points for various shot distances. This unique system integrates a series of small “ballistic circles” allowing unimpeded lines of sight to even small targets.

Now more than ever, shooters can match a reticle to their particular needs or hunting passion. Nikon offers a full lineup of BDC reticle/riflescope options ranging from standard centerfire cartridge reticles, game-specific reticles such as the BDC predator hunting reticle and platform specific reticles such as the BDC 600 found in the M-223 AR-15 riflescopes. All are part of the “BDC Bonus Days” Rebate.

Morgan UT – Designed by Russ Kommer, Browning’s new Packer Series fixed blade knives were born on the rugged frontier of Alaska. The unique handle design and modified drop point blade are designed to maximize the blade cut to reduce wrist fatigue.

The Packer series comes in three different blade designs: The multi-use modified drop point, the big belly semi-skinner and a modified drop point with gut hook. Browning logo models on bolsters feature genuine stag handles and a beautiful leather sheath. Blades are made of Sandvik® 12C27 stainless steel in 2 7/8” or 3 1/8” lengths.

Browning will also offer Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation versions with their logo laser engraved on the bolsters and handles made with highly grained burl wood.

Alabaster, AL – Relive the action! With Moultrie‘s new ReAction Cam high-definition video camera, you can record your experience and then watch it over and over – even share it with your friends. Whether it’s basking in the glory of a successful shot or seeing the big one that got away, the ReAction Cam lets you record the action.

The ReAction Cam records in 720p HD (High Definition) for the best video quality that you can enjoy on your big screen TV. Focus in on that trophy buck using the 1.5″ color viewing screen and 8x digital zoom feature. And don’t worry about spooking game, while the ReAction Cam records sound, the smart LED light indicates recording rather than emitting noisy beeps. The ReAction Cam also acts as a 5.0 megapixel camera, capturing up to 10 multi-shot photos at 4 pictures per second.

Various mounts and attachments allow you to secure the camera to record just about any activity from hunting to cycling, canoeing and more. Plus, the ReAction Cam’s weather-resistant housing features Realtree® APG camouflage. ReAction Cam operates on two AA batteries and accepts up a 16GB SD memory card. Retail $149.99.

Moultrie is the most recognizable game management brand in the industry. Moultrie develops and manufactures feeders, spreaders, sprayers, scouting cameras, feed supplements and accessories for deer, turkeys, hogs and fish. With over 30 years of experience, Moultrie is an expert in game observation and management. Moultrie is a division of PRADCO Outdoor brands. You can visit Moultrie on the web at www.moultriefeeders.com.

Cottonwood, Ariz. – LaserLyte® is thrilled to announce the Side Mount Laser (SML) that fits nearly all Taurus® revolvers including the Judge, CIA, Protector and Raging Bull series. The new and inventive SML is easily mounted underneath the rubber grip of the revolver and is the only laser system available that allows the customer to use factory or custom grips and holster the firearm. This is especially exciting for Judge owners because the SML allows the user to utilize a laser, retain the factory Ribber Grips® that reduce felt recoil and holster the firearm.

To install the SML simply choose one of two included base plates that fits the revolver, temporarily remove the grip and screw the unit into place. Sight in is simple with common X and Y adjustments. The SML’s activation switch is strategically placed at the back of the laser and is easily turned on by pressing the button on draw or when holstered. First press of the button produces constant on mode, second press produces pulse mode and third press deactivates the laser. The SML also has a customer-requested auto-off feature that displays a unique flash after five minutes of operation and automatically turns the unit off after six minutes. Press the button at any time to reset this feature that prevents accidental activation and battery depletion. The unit is also easily moved from one Taurus revolver to another.

The compact base unit contains all components necessary for operation – laser, switch, battery and circuitry. The unit body is constructed from 380A die cast aluminum and the plates are made of 4130 hardened chromoly steel. The SML is powered by four 377 batteries that provide five hours of normal usage in constant on mode and ten hours in pulse mode. Normal usage is defined as one minute on and one minute off. This test mimics actual usage where the unit is turned on and off and the battery is given time to automatically regenerate. LaserLyte offers discounted batteries on its website.

LaserLyte, the leader in laser technology, is the shooting and hunting division of P&L Industries. The company strives to heighten the experience of shooting by offering high quality, competitively priced lasers and other firearms accessories. For additional information about LaserLyte, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.laserlyte.com“www.laserlyte.com.

Overland Park, KS. — The Eliminator Cargo Blind (E.C.B.) from Final Approach has been chosen by Field and Stream as one of their Best of the Best products for 2010.

The Eliminator Cargo Blind is a full featured layout blind with removable wheels that makes it easy to move up to a dozen full body decoys, four dozen silhouettes or over 200 rag decoys, plus your gun, flags and other gear quickly and easily to your hunting spot.

The E.C.B. is made with a sturdy lightweight aluminum frame and is covered in durable 600-denier poly fabric with a waterproof coating, along with ¾ inch closed cell foam in the base to insulate the hunter from the cold.

Products selected for Field and Stream’s Best of the Best awards are tested by the magazine’s staff, along with some of the top hunters and shooters in the country. “Winning this award is a real honor”, said John Mullett, Product Director for Final Approach. “Products selected for Best of the Best are tested under rigorous conditions and only those that meet the high expectations of the testers make the cut.”

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For more information, visit www.fabrand.com or call consumer inquiries at 800-423-3537.

In the vast majority of situations, humans and bears coexist peacefully in the wild, and tens of thousands of encounters occur without incident every year. But when bears do become aggressive, you’ve got to react quickly to protect yourself. The best way to do this is to carry a can of bear-deterrent, which sprays concentrated capsaicinoids-the stuff that makes hot peppers hot-to cause irritation in the bear’s eyes, nose, and throat. According to Jon Goodrich, founder of the Mace® company and an avid outdoor sportsman, the strong OC pepper formula in Bear Pepper Mace® causes a massive shock to a bear’s sensitive nose, making the spray an extremely effective deterrent.

In July 2010, famed zookeeper Jack Hanna effectively used bear pepper spray to drive off a young male grizzly that threatened Hanna and several others huddled on a narrow ledge in Glacier National Park. That same weekend, bear pepper spray was used by two other hiking parties, a Student Conservation Corps worker, and a park ranger. In all cases, which involved both grizzlies and black bears, the spray proved to be 100% effective, and no one was injured.

I’ve always used pepper spray,” Hanna told a reporter. “You don’t need it for years, but when you need it you really need it.”

Spray vs. Guns

When most people think of protection from bears, they think gun…big gun. But relying on a gun poses several problems, not the least of which is that it is quite difficult to fire accurately at an animal that is charging you-especially if the encounter happens quickly and unexpectedly, as it usually does. Unless the user is extremely proficient with a firearm, he risks wounding the bear, which might make it more aggressive. Plus, guns are heavy and unwieldy, which makes them unsuitable for many hiking trips.

But there’s an even more compelling reason to use bear spray: it works better. According to a 2008 study co-authored by Dr. Stephen Herrero-whose Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance (1985) is the definitive book on the subject-bear spray is considerably more effective than a gun when it comes to deterring bear attacks. The researchers studied the use of bear spray in Alaska over a 20-year period and found that the spray stopped “undesirable” behavior an impressive 94% of the time with grizzlies and 100% with black bears.

Keep your small items quiet and within reach just inside your jacket or vest with the EZ Access Chest Organizer System. With the Chest Organizer, available in Mossy Oak® Break-Up®, you’ll never again have to fumble around in your pack for small items such as your keys, cell phone, walkie-talkie or calls. The EZ Access Chest Organizer keeps these items on your body and easily accessible at all times.

The Chest Organizer can be worn with the provided strap or you can hook it on your binocular strap or on to your belt. Its low-profile design is perfect for bowhunting.

The organizer comes with a pouch and two pockets as well as three quick-detach buckles. Two drop calls with attaching clips, a neck strap with two key rings plus attaching clips and two cord assemblies for attaching accessories are also included. Items can be detached and changed out as desired.

No matter the season or your game of choice, the EZ Access Chest Organizer System’s smart and adaptable design makes it the perfect addition to your hunting gear.

Morgan UT – Designed by Russ Kommer, Browning’s new Packer Series fixed blade knives were born on the rugged frontier of Alaska. The unique handle design and modified drop point blade are designed to maximize the blade cut to reduce wrist fatigue.

The Packer series comes in three different blade designs: The multi-use modified drop point, the big belly semi-skinner and a modified drop point with gut hook. Browning logo models on bolsters feature genuine stag handles and a beautiful leather sheath. Blades are made of Sandvik® 12C27 stainless steel in 2 7/8″ or 3 1/8″ lengths.

Browning will also offer Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation versions with their logo laser engraved on the bolsters and handles made with highly grained burl wood.